FISHING AT HOME AND ABROAD 



apt to take out his lightest and handiest rod, yet when large flies and 

 heavier casting lines are required a heavier and longer rod may do better 

 work. Weight upon the scales, within reasonable limits, is not of much 

 consequence. I have used five -ounce rods that were a bit hard on the 

 wrists, and eight-ounce rods that felt like a feather in the hand. 



If one buys best quality casting lines, tapered moderately, and of finest 

 natural gut, and but six feet in length, he can point them with two or three 

 lengths of fine drawn, for fine fishing, or add heavier gut next the line, 

 possibly removing a link or two of the fine end, when using large flies for . 

 big trout. Of course, the six-foot leaders are less expensive than those of 

 nine feet. Mr Halford advises very long casting lines for the chalk streams, 

 probably with a view to making the fly alight softly upon the water. With 

 a powerful dry-fly rod and heavy line it requires much skill to accomplish 

 this. Possibly a few feet of twisted or braided hair between the line and 

 leader would prove of assistance, as horsehair falls lightly upon the water. 

 With the old-fashioned American rods of thirty years ago and fine braided 

 silk lines, it was easy for the expert to place his flies softly. The best of 

 these rods, as I remember them, had wood butts and middles, and split cane 

 tops. Time had to be given them in casting, and the movements of hand 

 and arm were not so rapid as with the modern stiff rod. The Englishmen I 

 have met in out-of-the-way places in this country have usually had a 

 great quantity of *' duffle," and the total weight was very considerable. 

 One had half a ton of moose meat from animals shot in New Brunswick or 

 Nova Scotia. One wishes to be as comfortable as possible, but a heavy outfit 

 adds to the expenses and difficulties of the trip. 



If one strikes a place where sport is unsatisfactory and insect pests are 

 bad, he wishes to get away from it as quickly as possible. The pleasure of 

 fishing in many regions is vastly enhanced by the rugged grandeur of our 

 mountains and forests, and the wild beauty of many of the streams. 



Trout that inhabit cold rivers of rapid descent, much rough or wild 

 water and deep pools, are usually vigorous and full of fight. We have 

 several species besides the eastern brook trout or char, and these have been 

 transplanted east and west. The European trout (Salmo fario) is now 

 abundant in many parts of the country and in some of the streams has been 

 the salvation of real sport. It breeds freely, grows rapidly when well 

 supplied with food, and can endure a higher temperature than the 

 American brook trout, which is a char {Sahelinus fontinalis). 



The rainbow trout {Salmo irideus) is a very sporting fish wherever found. 

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